Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 527.

OTTO PEETZ

     assessor of Sherman county, Oregon, and proprietor of a billiard hall and
cigar store, in Kent, was born in Douglas county, Minnesota, March 16, 1873, the
son of Carl and Catherine (Schott) Peetz. At present the father is a retired
farmer residing near Moro.
     When our subject was about one year of age his parents removed from
Minnesota to King county, Washington. This was in 1874, and there they remained
until 1886, when the family came to, Sherman county, and with them our subject.
In 1892 the latter went to Grant county, Oregon, where he found employment on
several farms, and also conducted a sheep ranch for others, and, at one time,
for himself. During the month of December, 1899, he returned  to Sherman county,
and remained with his parents on the farm about one year. When about fifteen
years of age he was severely injured by a horse which fell upon him, the
principal injury being confined to one of his legs. In 1898 he suffered an
attack of measles, which seriously affected this limb, and three years later it
became necessary to amputate it in order to save his life. Under the care of
physicians he remained for a period of eleven months, three months of which time
were passed in St. Vincent's Hospital, Portland. A number of operations were
made in endeavors to save the injured limb, and following amputation of the same
it was twice opened for the purpose of removing dead and decaying bone which
might have seriously affected his health, and perhaps caused, his death.
     On his recovery, in March, 1903, he came to Kent, erected a building, and
engaged in his present business. He conducts a billiard table and has; a fine
stock of cigars, tobaccos and temperance beverages. During the summer of the
same year of his arrival he secured land under the homestead laws, nine miles
southeast of Kent, June 6, 1904, Mr. Peetz was elected assessor of Sherman
county, on the Republican ticket, receiving a majority of one hundred and
eighty-two. Previous to this he had always been patriotically active in party
work, but had never aspired to office ; in fact his nomination came as a
complete surprise to him ; it was made in the convention by acclamation.
     Great credit is due Mr. Peetz for the heroic manner in which he has borne
his sufferings, and for the energy and sagacity displayed by him in overcoming
so many business difficulties, as he has. He possesses the confidence of all his
fellow citizens, and, as has been shown in the details of this sketch, is a very
popular young man in the community in which he resides.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.